Sunday’s Game Preview: Kiwoom Heroes at Kia Tigers

GWANGJU, South Korea (Interstat) — The Kia Tigers look to continue their dominance over the Kiwoom Heroes when the teams meet Sunday evening at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, with first pitch expected under cloudy skies and 83-degree temperatures.

Kia (50-43-3) has won eight of its past 10 meetings with Kiwoom (34-60-2), including a 9-5 victory Saturday. The Tigers hold a comfortable position in the KBO standings, while the last-place Heroes have lost five of their past six games.

Outfielder Park Jae-hyun leads Kia’s offensive charge after a standout performance Saturday. Park went 2-for-4 with two home runs and two RBIs, giving him three homers in his past two games. Over his past 10 contests, he has collected multiple hits in four games, including two-hit efforts against the Heroes on July 24 and July 7 against Lotte.

For Kiwoom, left fielder Lee Hyung-jong also enjoyed a productive game Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Lee has driven in three runs over the past two games, though he went hitless in three at-bats across two games prior to that stretch.

The two players have been central figures in this series. In Friday’s 8-5 Kiwoom win, Lee delivered an RBI while Park managed two hits. Their individual battles could again shape the outcome Sunday.

Kia’s pitching has been formidable against the Heroes this season, holding Kiwoom to two runs or fewer in five of the past eight meetings. In Saturday’s win, left-hander Yang Hyeon-jong allowed three earned runs over five innings while striking out four. The Tigers’ bullpen held the Heroes scoreless over the final four innings.

Kiwoom starter Park Jun-hyun took the loss Saturday, allowing five earned runs on seven hits over five innings. The Heroes have dropped 10 of their past 12 road games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-3 Kia victory, giving the Tigers a 68.9 percent probability to win via its ELO system.

Both teams head on the road after Sunday’s game. Kiwoom opens a three-game series Tuesday at LG, while Kia travels to face Samsung.